Entertainment For Your Lunch Hour

sandwichMany people say you should use your lunch hour productively, but the most happy workers spend an hour chilling out or having fun. Overworking will affect your health and happiness, making you less able to do your job. Gordon Gekko may think lunch is for wimps but here at Frost Magazine we know the truth: it should be spent having fun. Switching off for an hour will make the rest of the day go better as you will be happier and more relaxed. Whether you want to have a sandwich at your desk, or spend an hour in Pret on your phone, here are some suggestions.

Reading a Book

Getting lost in a book is one of life’s great pleasures. No matter what your interests are, you will find a book that you will love. We review lots of books at Frost Magazine. Books don’t need to be expensive, you can even get books from the library for free.

YouTube

Two words: cat videos. There are few things that are more worthy of your time than a cat video. If you are more of a dog person, there are videos for you too. There are also plenty of vloggers making great videos on a wide variety of subjects.

Online Games

There are many fun games online. A Frost favourite is online bingo. Many of us have played bingo with family members and it is a relaxing and fun way to spend an hour. It is very satisfying when you win a game.

A Catch Up With a Close Friend

Either meet up for lunch or a walk in the park. Alternatively, phone your most fun friend and have a good gossip. A good catch up with a friend will leave you feeling more energised and happier. Just make sure you choose a good, fun friend. You don’t want a negative person putting you on a downer for the rest of the day.

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Magazines

Yes, we know we are online but we still love print. There is great satisfaction in reading a magazine from cover to cover and there are hundreds of magazines to choose from on any subject you can think of. Relaxing and fun, pop into a newsagent for some escapism. There is a magazine on everything from trains to cycling. We can generally be found in the women’s lifestyle section.

Or Read Some Amazing Articles For Free.

We love The Huffington Post, The Pool and glamour.com. Plenty of amazing writing from talented writers on each of these sites. A fun hour can easily be spent browsing high-quality content. Another great way to spend your lunch hour is to browse Frost Magazine and read our amazing articles. Yes, we know, but we had to get that in there.

So there are our ideas on spending some time out from thinking about work in your lunch hour. From reading to gaming and catching up with friends. Add your own suggestions and comments below. How do you spend your lunch hour? Let us know.

 

 

Kirin Ichiban Beer And Feng Sushi: A Match Made In Umami Heaven

This June celebrate one of the original and healthiest fast foods with International Sushi Day on Wednesday 18th June with a luxury sushi platter from Feng Sushi alongside an ice-cold Kirin Ichiban beer.

We were thrown at just how amazing the platter was. The sushi is amazing, high quality with something for everyone. The salmon was amazing, there was a great mixture of avocado and sushi and the salty edamame beans were also a joy. The platter retails at £29.75 and we thought it was a bargain considering how many people it feeds -2-to-4- and just how delicious it was. Now that we know just how amazing Feng Sushi in Fulham is, we will definitely be wanting more.

This is what the men had to say about the beer because, cliche alert, none of the women like beer: “The beer was pure, smooth, crisp and of the highest quality. It was a delight. One of the best beers I’ve ever had. I would highly recommend trying it, I will certainly be buying some more.” So it is safe to say we are fans of both the sushi and the beer.

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Beer is a fantastic match for sushi as the pairing emphasises umami, the mysterious fifth flavour that adds a moreish savoury note. Soy sauce, seaweed and the fish itself are all sources of umami, which are heightened by the crisp, pure notes of Kirin Ichiban, acting as a palate cleanser to tone down the spicy wasabi kick.  The beer’s rich flavour and deep, smooth finish also complement the delicately flavoured sushi and salty edamame beans.

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Kirin Ichiban is the world’s only 100% malt beer produced from the unique Shibori process where just the first pressing of the ingredients is used, unlike other lagers which are pressed and re-pressed. The result is one of the world’s crispest, richest and purest beers with a rich flavour and no bitter aftertaste. The beer shows citrus aromas with an initial, crisp refreshing bite, leading to a surprising depth of flavour and an intensely satisfying, clean finish.

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Feng Sushi’s classic patter comprises of 30 pieces of fresh sushi, including mean spicy tuna roll, MSC king prawn tempura roll, salmon mizuna and chive roll, salmon nigiri, seared salmon sashimi and salty edamame. The platter is available to order online for £29.75, with two bottles of Kirin Ichiban for £7.50.

 

·         Kirin Ichiban is sold in Tesco, Ocado and www.thedrinkshop.com in 330ml bottles, RRP £1.49 per bottle

·         Feng Sushi’s classic platter serves 2-4 people and retails at £29.75

·         For more information on Feng Sushi, restaurant locations and to order online visit www.fengsushi.co.uk

Roasted Christmas Day Lunch ‘Cottage Pie’ With Cheesy Mash Recipe

Roasted Christmas Day lunch ‘cottage pie’ with cheesy mash

By Paul Merrett

Roasted Christmas Day lunch 'cottage pie recipe

After the excess of Christmas Day this is the perfect comfort food. It also manages to use up just about every savoury ingredient from a Christmas Day lunch which is a bonus too!

 

Use whatever you have left over to make your version of this dish, but this recipe will serve as a good guide.

 

Serves 4

About 500g of roast turkey – brown and white meat – roughly chopped

4 or 5 leftover chipolatas (if they’re wrapped in bacon that’s even better)

2 or 3 tablespoons of leftover stuffing

25 left over sprouts

Spoonful of leftover carrots

2 or 3 leftover roast potatoes

4 left over parsnips

Handful of peas from the freezer

1 pint of left over gravy (or make with gravy granules if you didn’t have any leftover)

2 teaspoons redcurrant jelly

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

Mashed potato – leftover or made from scratch by peeling 4 large potatoes, then chopping into large chunks. Boil for around 10-15 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and return to the pot before adding a large knob of butter, salt and pepper and mashing.

Handful of grated cheddar

 

  • Find a large sauce pan and add the turkey and the gravy before bringing to a very gentle simmer
  • Meanwhile chop up the chipolatas in to bite sized chunks and tip them in to the pan
  • Do the same with the sprouts, carrots, parsnips and roast potatoes – again return the pan to a very gentle simmer – by now the mixture should be moist but not too wet
  • Add the peas and add the Worcestershire sauce and red currant jelly to taste
  • Finally chop the stuffing into chunks and add to the pan
  • Stir the pan very gently and then tip into a large shallow casserole dish
  • Pipe or spoon the mash on top and scatter with grated cheddar
  • Bake in the oven at 170C for about 20 minutes until golden brown and piping hot

 

 

Wine match

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir

This voluptuous Pinot Noir has rich fruit notes of cherry, raspberry, plum and strawberry, making it a great lighter red wine to pair with white meat, pastas and even seafood. Young and refreshing with subtly smoky hints, it’s a perfect wine to match with food.

 

Stockists

£5.61 (25% off) in Sainsbury’s from 16th October-5th November and from 11th-31st December

£5.99 in Tesco from 23rd October-3rd December

£5.99 or £30 for a case of 6 in Musgraves from 28th October-17th November

£6.99 in One Stop from 5th November-3rd December

£6 in Morrisons from 19th November-6th January

£5.99 in The Co-operative from 20th November-3rd December

£5.50 in Asda from 5th December-1st January

£7.49 in Ocado

Fancy lunch with Bill Nighy?

MEET BILL NIGHY AND SUPPORT THE SIR BOBBY’S BREAKTHROUGH ONLINE CHARITY AUCTION

One lucky bidder will enjoy a one-to-one lunch with the critically acclaimed actor

 meet bill nighy, bill nighy,

From one English gentleman to another… Critically acclaimed actor Bill Nighy has announced his support for the Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Charity Auction.

 

The latest money-can’t-buy auction item will see one lucky bidder win a lunch with one of Britain’s greatest actors, Bill Nighy. The winner will be treated to lunch at a central London restaurant with Bill and given the opportunity to chat one-to-one about some of his much loved roles including Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Boat that Rocked.

 

Along with this incredible prize, the auction also includes a luxury world cruise, a celebrity golf day, lunch with Tottenham Hotspur Manager Andre-Villas Boas and VIP tickets to the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco by private ‘Eclipse’ jet.

 

The online charity auction is aiming to raise £1million in crucial funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and two Suffolk Hospitals.

 

Bill Nighy joins a growing list of sporting stars and supporters donating to the auction – including Piers Morgan and David Walliams, who has generously donated a signed set of his children’s books.

 

BT Sport is the headline supporter for the auction which takes place from 10 – 27 October 2013.

Exciting auction items are announced every day.  Head to www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com to register.

 

Here are our chosen auction prizes for this week*

 

1.       Lunch with Bill Nighy

One lucky bidder win a lunch with one of Britain’s greatest actors, Bill Nighy at a central London restaurant. Donated by Bill Nighy

2.       Piers Morgan Life Stories

This unique experience allows two people VIP tickets to an ITV Piers Morgan’s Life Stories recording in London with incredible Green Room Access. Donated by Piers Morgan

3.       Gazza’s shirt

One lucky bidder will walk away with Paul Gascoigne’s pre-World Cup Italia ‘90s training game shirt. After a game against Tunisia, England hotshot, Gazza dug out his England 19 shirt from the bottom of his kit bag and gave it to Giacomo Malvermi, Sir Bobby’s Italia ’90 translator. Donated by Giacomo Malvermi

4.       David Walliams’ Children’s Books

British comedian, actor, author and national treasure, David Walliams has donated a signed set of his own children’s books.

5.       Play on St. George’s Park

This auction item will see one lucky company enjoy a League Managers Association (LMA) Corporate Football Tournament with a minimum of three 6-a-side games played on the very same pitch used by the England senior team, St. George’s Park. This once-in-a-lifetime package including a full playing kit for all members of the squad, management by a LMA member, FA qualified coaches facilitating the match, pre- and post-match food and drink and a prize giving and Q&A session with LMA Ambassadors. Donated by The LMA

6.       Hintlesham Golf Course

Enjoy a fabulous day’s golf followed by an overnight stay in one of Hintlesham Hall’s superior rooms for four people. This package also includes a delicious three-course Table D’Hôte dinner and full English breakfast as well as round of golf or a relaxing spa treatment per person. Donated by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

7.       Adnams Copper House Distillery

Enjoy a day experience at the Adnams Copper House Distillery in Southwold.  Makers of the world’s best gin made in Southwold as judged by the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2013. Donated by Adnams, Southwold

Gina Long, Founder, comments: “Sir Bobby was the ultimate gentleman and it’s so touching to see another of our country’s leading men, Bill Nighy, show his respect and admiration for Sir Bobby by donating to our incredible auction. I am overwhelmed by Bill Nighy’s donation and I know I’ll certainly be bidding for this lunch! We encourage everyone to register for the online auction now as to not miss out on this amazing auction item.”

Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son and part of the Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough concludes: “Sadly, cancer is likely to affect every one of us in one way or another and my family knows first hand the pain it can cause. The online auction is a fantastic way to help us to continue the work my father started and raise crucial funds for these charities. At this stage we have 200 auction prizes and we need at least another 200 to reach our £1million goal. We urge people to donate, no auction prize is too big or too small!”

* Visit the website at www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com for detailed information on what each prize includes and the terms and conditions.

Spring into Easter Sunday with Lunch at Babylon

Looking to banish winter blues and summon the spirit of the new season? Head straight to the award-winning Babylon Restaurant at The Roof Gardens in Kensington and treat the whole family to a memorable Easter.

To celebrate Easter Sunday, on the 8th April each guest will be treated to a complimentary Easter bunny rabbit shaped chocolate lollipop from a lucky dip. Each lollipop will have an envelope attached to it where guests will find out if they’re one of the lucky ones to win a fabulous mystery prize. Prizes will include 20% off your next Babylon booking, a year’s Club membership for the Private Members Club on the 6th floor, a VIP table for you and your friends in the Club to name but a few.

The delicious Easter menu offers a selection of favourite roast dishes including tender roasted Pork Belly with Bramley Apple Sauce or mouth-watering Roast Beef. All roast dishes are accompanied by sharing platters of seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes. With a menu bursting with equally enticing starters, vegetarian dishes, and indulgent desserts, the whole family will be catered for this Easter. Kids (and adults too!) will also be able to enjoy a visit from The Roof Garden’s very own magician Easter Bunny as they tuck in to a three course children’s menu priced at only £8.00.

The Babylon menu is priced at £26.00 for two courses and £29.00 for three courses. For reservations please call Babylon on 020 7368 3993 or visit Babylon@roofgardens.virgin.com